Summer Camp: The Youth
by Scott Prewitt

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 8:37-39)

These words of the apostle Paul captured the attention of over forty-five young people for six days this past July. As has been the case for a decade and a half, summer camp brought us together from across the states and as far away as Great Britain for a prolonged week of fellowship, study and application. Plus, we can always count on games, movies, singing, and camp-fires to make our time together complete.

By late spring, I had decided that the book of Romans would be our focus this year. I really had no idea how challenging it would be for me to prepare, but God used this task as a way to introduce Spirit truths that the youth devoured. We looked closely at chapters one through eight to see Paul’s instructions on how to live a sin-free life by recognizing the Spirit union with Jesus Christ. Many times I stood amazed in front of these young people because they were so ready and able to understand the secret of the Christ-I life. I hope that any parent of a teenager will present the union truths to their young people. They are probably further along than you think.

The Spirit also moved in mighty fashion as many of the youth committed their lives to Christ to be clean and pure. The temptations facing our youth today can and does destroy lives. Many sought to be rid of an unclean past with alcohol, drugs, and sexual behavior after being convicted by the scriptures in Romans each day. Plus, they made commitments to God, themselves, and another person to remain clean, free from Satan’s snares, allowing the free-flow of the Spirit of Christ in them and living as them. Bonds of friendship, fellowship, and accountability were formed that will be very difficult for the enemy to destroy. We all recognized that our fellowship makes us stronger and ready to spread this truth to the world. "WE ARE CONQUERORS!"

Summer camp usually comes around at the end of every July here in Boone, North Carolina. The youth pro-gram is open to any young person over seven. It is organized and operated by the young adults in our ministry, and we welcome you to contact us about attending next year. I have been a part of summer camp for over a decade now, and I have seen firsthand the lives that have been changed-anywhere from people accepting Christ to being saved from the ravages of sin that can come upon a young person so fast and hard today. I’ll tell what makes the difference at our camp: WE have an answer that I do not see anyone else giving! The way we can live a life free from sin and dedicated to God is that we know that it is the Spirit of Christ doing the living. Come, let us give you and your young person this truth for living!